Half-Minute Hero: Super Mega Neo Climax Details Leak Out

Marvelous still hasn’t announced it, but we know Half-Minute Hero is coming to Xbox 360. And Half-Minute Hero: Super Mega Neo Climax is most likely for Xbox Live Arcade. Thanks to the ESRB, we know a bit more about the game.

Here’s what the rating board had to say about Half-Minute Hero: Super Mega Neo Climax.

This is an action role-playing game in which players assume the role of a character that must defeat monsters in 30-second timeframes. As they run and jump through each level, players use weapons (swords, magic spells) to defeat ‘cartoony’ goblins, giant plants, and roaming skeletons. Characters charge at each other to quickly exchange hits; battles are highlighted by light flashes, and enemies that spin off screen when defeated.

Alone that description isn’t very informative, but when we compare it to the one for Half-Minute Hero, the PSP version, we have a clearer idea about the Xbox 360 release.

This is a collection of retro-style games with 8-bit graphics that includes a role-playing game, a scrolling shooter, a real-time strategy game, and an action game. Most games feature small characters engaged in minimal depictions of violence: casting magic spells, poking monsters with swords, tossing arrows at mushroom creatures that turn into coins. However, the dialogue punctuates the combat with phrases like ‘Prepare to Die,’ ‘I’ll beat you to a bloody pulp,’ and ‘Kill ‘im.” One weapon, ‘bloody axe,’ depicts a red blade accompanied by the following text description: ‘The edge is blood red. But it’s not rusted, mind you.’ The expletives ‘a*s,’ ‘damn,’ and ‘hell’ also appear in text. In some scenes, female characters wear thigh-exposing short-shorts or tops that expose deep cleavage—in 8-bit graphics.

First, Half-Minute Hero: Super Mega Neo Climax is not a straight port of Half-Minute Hero. The PSP game is rated "E 10+" while Super Mega Neo Climax is simply "E." It doesn’t seem like there are any modes other than Hero 30 either. Notice how the rating for Half-Minute Hero calls the PSP version a "collection?" Also, the ESRB description for Super Mega Neo Climax only outlines Hero 30 mode where enemies fly off screen when you crash into them.

One other interesting tidbit is the PSP game specifically mentions "8-bit graphics" while Super Mega Neo Climax doesn’t have that descriptor. Perhaps, Marvelous upgraded the graphics for their Xbox 360 game.

I wonder how much revenue/profit a digital game brings compared to a retail one, taking into account the lower price, lack of retailer margins and logistic expenses, and that you can probably sell more units.

I have to disagree. If I wanted a game for 8bit graphics there are many a better one out there. I played this game for the concept and the gameplay itself.

Pichi

For me, the graphics worked well with the world and atmosphere, especially when they mocked themselves, descriptions of items/monsters, etc. In this day and age, the graphics are certainly charming and different to appeal to.